The Year Round Nigel Slater Discussion thread

[RainbowZebraWarrior]

Hello, all.

The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles readalong usually takes place here between November and February each year (the Christmas Chronicles being a book written by Nigel Slater full of winter recipes and anecdotes) It's been running for a few years, and the contributors have collectively decided it would be nice to have it running all year round.

So here it is. It is a place to appreciate all things Nigel-esque. Think seasonal food and recipes, enjoyment of nature, sharing of news and small moments of joy. It's a calm, cosy space for gentle chat and merriment so pull up a chair, grab a cuppa and relax.

A very hearty welcome to friends new and old!

Welcome @wishiwasacollie and I love the sound of your Feast candle and rituals. Last time I checked it was out of stock, but I may need to have another look as I must admit I've really wanted one since it came out. I also found £75 in a bank bag at the bottom of my handbag. I seem to recall taking my sterling notes out of my purse and tucking them away safe when I went to Copenhagen before Christmas then I've forgotten about it.

Ha, no RZW hate it! But for some reason one of my ferrets ended up being called that so the name is in memory of him.

@Foxybyname our local TKMaxx is one floor of clothes and accessories and one floor of home wares which is very good even though it's not branded as Homesense, hope yours works out ok.

Yes, my nearest TK Maxx has a massive selection of candles and a whole floor of wonderful homewares. I used to spend way too much money there when I lived on the outskirts of the city. It's also a great place to find lovely triple milled French soap. Agree about the clothes though @Foxybyname It's very off-putting.

Will be thinking of you today @RainbowZebraWarrior , hugs and best wishes for a successful outcome.

What a beautiful pebble @RainbowZebraWarrior All beautiful components wrapped together, just like this thread.

“Let us now be up and doing, with a heart for any fate,
still achieving, still pursuing,
Lean to Labour and to wait”

I hope your Labour yields a good fate today. There is too much waiting on good news, may yours be swift.

We will be there in spirit wearing our best Nigel looking at a questionable cheese faces at anyone bringing negativity.

Our family phrase before going into anything a little scary (& the last thing I said to my husband and boys before being into operations): “Strength and Honour”.

Strength and Honour is a great phrase @Bimblesalong This, however, is both inspired and tremendous and I shall be channeling it big time:

"We will be there in spirit wearing our best Nigel looking at a questionable cheese faces at anyone bringing negativity".

I rather like this expression of his.

https://www.theguardian.com/food/2023/jan/22/nigel-slater-how-his-memoir-toast-became-a-phenomenon

If only I had had time to get T-shirts of it ordered for you, dad and DD.

I might write it down and slip it in my pocket 😊

I've filled up the last thread and signposted anyone who lands there to our lovely new thread here.

For anyone who has any of the Kitchen Diaries series of books, there are entries in all three of them today; lamb shanks, cod risotto and short ribs. I guess it speaks volumes of the time of year that it's all still very wintery, hearty, comfort type food.

None of the above really appeals to me, so I'm going for a (similarly hearty) minestrone soup today. I signed up a few years ago to a website / writer that specialises in low FODMAP so I'm using a recipe from there. I can highly recommend it for anyone who may also be following low FODMAP. Here's the link to the minestrone recipe.

https://alittlebityummy.com/recipe/en-us/low-fodmap-minestrone/?utm_source=A+Little+Bit+Yummy+Monthly+Newsletter&utm_campaign=245bf8fbd7-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_feb_2025_chili_6_most_popular&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-bfc97b4a57-508533421&goal=0_853568da75-245bf8fbd7-508533421&mc_cid=245bf8fbd7&mc_eid=98772a6cda

Just coming in to add to @RainbowZebraWarrior's pocket crew to take in with you this afternoon, and wishing you strength and success.
That's a beautiful pebble and a perfect reminder of how lots of things put together can form something special.

@RainbowZebraWarrior just wishing you the best for this afternoon x

Thank you both - that makes me feel better! There may be many more candle buying opportunities after all.....😃

Delurking to wish you all the best RZW and thank you for starting this thread. This is a much needed warm place to be. I've never joined in on the main threads as I'm not much of a cook but have really appreciated the good feelings from it.
Will try to join in more with this one.
Hugs to all that need them x

Just popped on to see how today went RZW. Was thinking of you this afternoon xx

You lot are bloody phenomenal. Honestly, you don't know what a difference you made to my confidence today. Anyway, after an hour and a half at the hearing and feeling like I did a grand job of representing my child, I have just had the call to say we won!

To be honest, it's the first time I've felt heard in a long time, and for that alone I was grateful. Again, you all really helped. I actually felt that people cared and had my back.

Thank you all so much. Every one of you ❤️

Just popped on to see how RZW got on... That's fantastic news, so happy for you!

Amazing!! So happy for you!! So she will to the school she wanted?! When can she start? Im very proud of you RZW-these things are bloody hard. I'm lighting my poshest candle in your honour (salcombe bay). Bloody great news!

Absolutely chuffing amazing! I hope there’s a decent transition plan in place for her.

I burned the rest of the bimbles candle with the drips of embers and beamed positive thoughts.

Hope you have a chilled celebration - you must be exhilarated and exhausted.

The coldest day to date on the farm. Rain, snow, sleet, hail, wind. At one point the group I was working with and I all took
Shelter with the goats in their little hut, we were so cold. We had just mucked out and out some lovely sweet smelling clean Hay (one of the best scents in the world) down and we were quite cosy and happy in there with them for a little
Bit. What a joy! Home now and trying to thaw out. False spring yesterday here followed by a spiteful day today. But that's British winter for you I suppose....snowdrops have appeared in abundance in all the hedgerows and my Daffs are going great guns shooting up in the garden. Lovely stuff.

Yay! That's great news 🎉

Fabulous news RZW - I'm so happy for you both!

Because it was late on a Friday when the panel upheld my appeal, the new school / headteacher were informed, but of course it will be Monday before we get to make arrangements. DD wants to move ASAP though and it's something we did previously discuss with the (wonderful) new school SENCO. (Meant to say that yes this is a specific school that have applied to join mid school year but were full @piscofrisco )

Tbh, by the end of the hearing, the headteacher was saying that if he did end up taking DD he could promise us all sorts of support that her current school have failed her on. And I believe him. He's really making waves and taking all sorts of never seen before innovative approaches.

So we can finally move forward. No rest for the wicked though as DDs specialist Personal Training starts up again tonight so we will be off there soon.

Thank you again. Such amazing personal thoughts and messages, amd people de lurking to wish us luck has left me feeling quite emotional. Beautiful people.

Hope everyone has a lovely Friday evening.

A big welcome to @MyFavouritePlace also.

Hay is also possibly my most favourite event in the world @piscofrisco I spent most of my summer holidays in haystacks.
It's lovely seeing new shoots. I've passed a few gardens today full of snowdrops and also noticed that my own tulips are peeping through. New beginnings!

Unboxing and lighting the Diptyque Baies in your honour @RainbowZebraWarrior.

Brilliant news@RainbowZebraWarrior I shall be lighting the santa maria novella candle in celebration